by Joanna Shupe
I kissed Kit in his bedchamber, she wanted to yell. Moreover, he had enjoyed it. Perhaps not as much as she, but his reaction had been real. Very real. Impossibly big and real.
She almost snickered. She, Alice Lusk, thinking lewd thoughts. Who would have guessed such a thing were possible?
I am offering up my services any time you’d care to practice.
Warmth cascaded through her veins, the promise of more kisses from Kit like a fever in her blood. She snuck a glance at him and was surprised to find him staring at her. Blinking, she frowned and moved her gaze to the table. Was he mad? They needed to avoid looking at each other so as to not arouse suspicion.
The risk of getting caught was already high enough, and there were just three days left before she returned to New York. To her life of dancing and balls and small talk. To finding a husband who might possibly want her for her. She wasn’t ready, not yet. Hence why these lessons with Kit were so important.
“Anyone know how Maddie is feeling?” Lydia Hartwell, a young woman from out West, leaned in. “It’s too bad she couldn’t join us.”
Katherine Delafield sat next to Alice, which was how Alice noted the worry on the other woman’s face. “She seemed fine before lunch. I cannot understand what would have happened to make her miss this.”
A noise sounded from Kit’s end of the table. “Oh, can’t you?” The edge of his mouth quirked, making him look mischievous. “No guesses at all, Miss Delafield?”
Katherine chewed her lip. “Absolutely none.”
Why was Katherine concerned about Maddie? And what did Kit know about it?
Oh, Katherine was supposed to have her picnic with Mr. Archer today. What with all the kissing in Kit’s room, Alice had forgotten about it. She angled closer to Katherine. “How was your picnic lunch?”
“I didn’t go,” Katherine whispered. “Nellie and I thought . . . well, I backed out at the last minute and left Maddie alone with Mr. Archer.”
“I see. You were matchmaking.”
“Exactly. Everyone can see they are perfect for one another.”
Hadn’t Alice said as much to Kit? “I suspect the duke’s arrival might muck up the works.”
“True, but I have faith that destiny will prevail. Which means, dear Alice, a duke will soon be up for grabs.” Katherine elbowed Alice’s arm meaningfully.
“You and Lockwood would make a striking couple,” she said.
“I meant you. I have no interest in Lockwood.”
“You don’t?”
“Goodness, no. I spent enough time traveling around England to know I’d never want to live there. And being a duchess would be so . . . restrictive. I like my freedom, thank you very much.” As if she’d revealed too much, she added, “But you shouldn’t let my feelings color your future. One can hardly do better than a duke—and a handsome duke, at that. I think you should pursue him, once Maddie and Mr. Archer are official.”
“I wouldn’t even know how.” While Kit was trying to teach her how to seduce a man into marrying her, those lessons hadn’t been intended for a duke. For heaven’s sake, every young woman in New York City had set her cap for Lockwood this spring. Alice couldn’t compete with that.
“Do what Maddie did,” Katherine said. “You attend the events he’s attending and use every opportunity possible to talk to him. Throw yourself in his path at every turn.”
“And that works?”
“It did for Maddie. Not to mention that you are here together at this house party. You have the chance to get to know him now, before the rest of society descend like locusts once we’re back in the city.”
Katherine made it sound so easy, but Alice was not Maddie. She wasn’t bubbly or fun, with plenty of friends and activities. If the duke courted someone like Maddie, why would he ever look twice at Alice? It seemed silly to point this out, however, so Alice merely said, “I’ll think about it.”
“Oh, the enthusiasm is overwhelming,” Katherine said dryly. “Look at him out there. Wouldn’t you rather marry a man who looks like Lockwood than some boring American fortune hunter?”
They both angled toward the croquet match. The Duke of Lockwood was leaning against his mallet, ankles crossed, his back straight and proud. The wind ruffled his brown hair while the sun kissed his skin and turned it into a warm gold. He really was appealing, in a stiff and proper sort of way.
“Look at those shoulders and tell me I am wrong,” Katherine said out of the side of her mouth. “And you’d become a duchess.”
“His Grace would never be interested in a woman like me.”
“Are we back to this tedious tune? Alice, remember what I said: know your worth.”
Without meaning to, Alice’s eyes darted toward Kit—only to find him staring at her once again. An emotion she could not place swirled in his brown depths, but it was fierce and disconcerting. Perhaps a little bit thrilling. She couldn’t look away, caught in the murky tide pools hiding his thoughts. The desire to kiss the frown off his face rose up in her chest.
“Finally, the first match is over,” Lydia was saying, and Alice dragged her attention off Kit to see the players leaving the court and heading for the tent.
“Who won?” Alice asked.
“Lockwood’s team,” Katherine said. “If I had to guess, judging by Mr. Archer’s expression.”
The duke, a fresh grass stain now marring his pristine trousers, stalked to the refreshment table. Mr. Archer dropped into the chair beside Kit, then said something under his breath that caused Kit to laugh, making him appear even more handsome. More captivating. More alive than anyone else around them. Alice’s stomach dipped and she thought about his mouth and tongue and how much she had liked having them against hers. And how very necessary it was to feel them again. Soon.
Nellie Young, daughter of the financier Cornelius Young, had been on Mr. Archer’s team. She dropped into the chair next to Katherine and leaned in. “Those two should just jump into a boxing ring and be done with it,” Nellie murmured. “I hope Maddie knows what she’s doing. Neither of them seems like the concede quietly type.”
“Definitely not,” Katherine agreed. “I hope I didn’t ruin things by leaving Maddie alone with Mr. Archer for the picnic today.”
Nellie shook her head. “Based on his swagger and Maddie’s absence, I’d say you did exactly the right thing.” She glanced over at Alice and winked. “We’re a matchmaking lot, Miss Lusk. Be careful you don’t get caught up in our shenanigans.”
“I’ve already begun,” Katherine said proudly. “I’m going to push her toward Lockwood when Maddie throws him over.”
“Which is ridiculous,” Alice put in. “The duke would never be interested in me.”
A strange expression crossed Nellie’s beautiful face as she stared out at the empty croquet court. “Oh, I think you’d be surprised by what interests His Grace.”
“What does that mean?” Katherine tapped Nellie’s arm. “What are you hiding?”
“Absolutely nothing. Excuse me, I need to fetch a stiff drink.”
“Only lemonade over there, I’m afraid,” Katherine said.
“Which is why I’m headed back to the house.” Nellie stood and pushed her chair in. “See you ladies at dinner. Have fun in the second game.” She strolled away in the direction of the chateau.
Teams for the second game were organized. When Katherine saw that Alice had drawn Mr. Archer’s team, she quickly switched their sticks to put Alice on Lockwood’s team. “What are you doing?” Alice hissed.
“Helping you. Now, don’t waste your chance.”
The duke approached the table and gave them a wide smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Ladies, who is partnering with me for the second game?” Lydia and Alice raised their hands, and Lockwood clapped his hands together once. “Excellent. Let’s select mallets, shall we?”
“Perhaps I should take your place, Lockwood.” Kit came to his feet and shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. “You’re probably tired from t
he first game.”
“That’s not necessary,” Mr. Archer said, staring directly at the duke. “His Grace and I are perfectly happy to go again, aren’t we, Lockwood?”
“More than happy, actually,” Lockwood drawled, his jaw tight.
Alice exchanged a worried glance with Katherine. Nellie had been right—these two men were not about to back down. Whatever happened during this house party, it was not going to end well.
“Have a seat, Kit.” Harrison slapped Kit on the back. “No need to wear yourself out on our account.”
Kit’s attention turned to Alice as he sat, his face blank but his eyes burning intensely, as if he were trying to see under her skin. Into her brain. Was he upset that his request to play had been shrugged off? If so, what had that to do with her?
Chapter Seven
Kit was in a foul goddamn mood.
Everything was going terribly. After today’s glorious lesson, Alice had ignored him—again—and though Kit knew the reasons behind her mask of indifference in regards to him, it rankled. Instead, she’d stared at the duke with stars in her dashed eyes, as if that prig was the only glass of water left in a desert.
As if that weren’t bad enough, Maddie was now showing off her betrothal ring. The guests had gathered in the salon for a drink before dinner when Maddie removed her glove to display a diamond and emerald monstrosity on her left ring finger. The ladies had squealed and expressed their delight at the match, as if Maddie had just won some sort of prize.
Throwing back the rest of his champagne, he swapped the empty coupe for a full one on his way over to Harrison. His friend looked ready to tear the furniture apart with his bare hands. “Now what?” he murmured once at Harrison’s side.
“I don’t know,” Harrison said tightly. “I hadn’t thought that bastard would propose. I thought I had more time.”
They both glanced at the duke, leaning against the mantel as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
“God, I hate him,” Harrison said.
After watching Alice study Lockwood all afternoon, Kit had to agree. “Impossible to avoid a scandal now. You have to proceed cautiously.”
“There’s no time for caution,” Harrison snapped. “Or else I’ll lose her. For good, this time.”
Kit studied Alice, who sat stiffly beside her mother on the far sofa. His prized pupil subtly watched the duke from under her lashes, and Kit’s blood boiled. “We have to get rid of him.”
“Get rid of who?” Nellie appeared on Kit’s right side, champagne glass in her hand.
“The duke,” Harrison said.
“Ah. Bet you’re wishing you hadn’t stayed away so long, Harrison.”
Harrison didn’t answer, though his lips pressed together in a flat line.
“I understand why he’s upset,” Nellie said to Kit. “But why are your drawers in a twist?”
“Solidarity,” he lied.
The felicitations continued in the middle of the room, as did Alice’s surreptitious observation of Lockwood. Was she actually interested in the duke? Kit took another a gulp of champagne. Alice had better taste than that, hadn’t she?
Nellie angled toward Kit and Harrison instead of the other guests. “You know, Katherine was angling to match the fair Miss Lusk with the duke. It appears that was a wasted effort.”
Kit sucked in a breath. Had the Delafield girl really been trying to pair Alice off with that oaf? Wasn’t that the point of the lessons? Yes, but not now. Not here. And what happened when Maddie threw the duke over, as she most assuredly would before the house party ended? Would Alice use the tricks Kit taught her to woo a duke?
The pit of his stomach hollowed out, leaving an empty cavern despite all the champagne. He hated the idea of Alice and Lockwood. She deserved better than a drafty manor house in the English countryside, surrounded by servants and a husband who ignored her. She needed laughter and friends—
“Oh, Kit,” Nellie said on a chuckle. “You are as transparent as a window.”
He deliberately moved his gaze off Alice. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
This got Harrison’s attention. “Transparent? About what?”
Nellie lifted a brow and elbowed Kit. “Go on. Tell him.”
“There is nothing to tell.”
“Really?” She leaned in. “I saw her leave your room earlier, you know.”
Harrison shifted to glower at Kit. “Who was it? Was she responsible for that love bite?”
Kit dragged a hand down his face. “Quiet, both of you. It’s not what you think.”
“I’d say it’s exactly what I think,” Nellie put in.
“And what were you doing on our side of the chateau?” Kit asked, turning it around on her. “Whose room were you visiting?”
“I wasn’t. I was out for a walk.”
An obvious lie. “In the corridors?”
“Kit,” Harrison said under his breath. “Maddie expressly warned you away from the young ladies. There will be hell to pay if she learns of this.”
“She won’t—and it’s innocent.” Mostly. “There is nothing to worry about.”
“That purplish mark on your throat would imply otherwise. Do not ruin this house party, Kit, not until I win her back.”
“You have my word.” He didn’t dare look in Alice’s direction. “I have it under control.”
“And to think,” Nellie drawled, toasting Kit and Harrison with her coupe. “I almost didn’t come. What a shame it would have been to miss all these scandals.”
Kit liked this girl. No surprise, as their personalities were similar, but he was glad he’d found Alice first. It turned out that corrupting an innocent woman, coaxing her out of her shell, was far more enjoyable than he’d ever imagined. “From what I hear, you normally start one or two of your own. So catch up, if you would, Miss Young.”
“Already did, Mr. Ward.” Her mouth twisted into a devilish smirk. “Some of us know how to keep ours private, however.”
The duke started toward them and Nellie excused herself, drifting to the other young ladies. Smart of her. No doubt Lockwood was coming to gloat. Kit braced himself, ready to break up a fistfight, if necessary. God knew it wouldn’t be the first time—he, Forrest, Harrison and Preston all had their share of scrapes while in college.
Gleeful satisfaction danced in Lockwood’s gaze, confirming what Kit had suspected. The duke wanted to rub Harrison’s nose in the engagement. “Ward, if you don’t mind, I’d like a private word with Archer.”
The tone brooked no argument, but Kit wasn’t about to desert his friend. “I think I’ll stay, actually.”
Lockwood sipped his champagne and focused on Harrison. “No felicitations, Archer? It must sting to lose to me thrice in one day.”
“Jesus,” Kit muttered under his breath. Was Lockwood mad? Taunting Harrison was dangerous.
“Enjoy it for now, Lockwood. Kit, I’m headed outside for some air. See you at dinner.” Harrison stalked in the direction of the door.
“Not sure stirring him up is the wisest course of action,” Kit said when they were alone.
“I am responding merely in kind. The cleverness that you Americans credit yourselves with.” He shook his head. “It’s quite sad.”
Kit very rarely argued. His attitude was devil-may-care with a dash of live-and-let-live. But he really was coming to loathe the Duke of Lockwood.
And they were trying to push sweet Alice toward this unbearable snob? Absolutely not. Kit would never allow it.
Leaning in, he lowered his voice, “Listen here, Lockwood—”
“Good evening, Your Grace. Mr. Ward.” Alice had joined them, her brown gaze bouncing between the two men. “May I offer Your Grace congratulations on the betrothal?”
Lockwood inclined his head a fraction, as if displays of real emotion were beneath him. “Thank you, Miss Lusk. I could not be happier.”
“Indeed.” She bit her lip, seemingly at a loss for words. Lockwood said nothing more, content to let t
he silence stretch, but the longer it went on, the redder Alice’s face became.
As much as Kit did not wish to converse with Lockwood, he couldn’t bear to see Alice struggle. Her newfound confidence had been hard won, and he didn’t want her to doubt herself. “And how was your game of croquet this afternoon, Miss Lusk? Were you victorious?” Kit had departed as soon as the second match began, heading back into the chateau instead of watching Alice watch the duke.
She offered him a grateful smile. “We were, thanks in large part to the duke’s skill in the game.”
“You showed remarkable skill yourself,” the duke said. “I believe a bloodthirsty competitor lurks inside you.”
Alice beamed as if Lockwood had showered her with compliments. “Your Grace is clearly teasing, but I did have fun. I haven’t played croquet in ages.”
Lockwood said nothing, his eyes affixed proudly on Maddie across the room, and Kit couldn’t take one minute more. “Miss Lusk, care to walk with me?”
She cast a look over her shoulder toward her mother, who was conversing with another chaperone. “I cannot leave. It wouldn’t be proper.”
“Just around the room, then?”
“I suppose that would be all right, if my mother agrees.”
When she started to turn in her mother’s direction, Kit grabbed her wrist. “Let’s live a little, shall we? After all, it’s always better to beg for forgiveness than to ask permission.” Especially when Mrs. Lusk would surely say no. Alice’s mother used every available opportunity to stare daggers at Kit, as if he were dirt on the bottom of her slipper.
“Go on, Miss Lusk,” Lockwood said. “I’ll keep an eye on you, should Mr. Ward try anything improper.”
Fuck off, Kit told Lockwood with his gaze. The duke smirked and sipped his champagne, but Kit didn’t bother giving him a set down. Instead, he held out his arm to Alice. “Come with me.”